"You must always take care of Mother like that," he said, "and never let any one hurt her, or bother her, when Father's away."
"Mother's little knight," she said, kissing your brow. And ever afterwards she was safe when you were near.
"Oh, that Mrs. Waddles. I wish she wouldn't bother me."
Under her breath Mother said it, but you heard, and you hated Mrs. Waddles with all your soul, and her day of reckoning came. Mother was in the garden and did not hear. You answered the knock yourself.
"Little darling, how—"
"You can't see my mother to-day," you said, stiffly.
"That's very strange," said Mrs. Waddles, with a forward step.
"No," you said, a little louder, throwing yourself into the breach and holding the door-knob with all your might. "No! You mustn't come in!"
"You impertinent little child!" cried Mrs. Waddles, threateningly, but you faced her down, raising your voice again:
"You can't see my mother any more," you repeated, firmly.